THE (AFRO)BEAT GOES ON The Tony-winning musical Fela!, which traces the life
of the late Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti, opens its 20-day run at Oriental Theatre on
3/27.

THE FIVE

Don’t-miss picks for Wed 3.21.12 through Tue 3.27.12:

1

theatreFela!
Just like the titular Fela Kuti, father of Afrobeat and fierce opponent of military rule in 1970s Nigeria, this three-time Tony-winning musical is bound to rouse audiences. That exclamation point means “Get up and dance.”GO:3/27–4/15. $20–$90. Oriental Theatre, Ford Center for the Performing Arts, 24 W Randolph. broadwayinchicago.com

2

danceLuna Negra Dance Theater
Spain, the home of tapas, Penélope Cruz, and that tomato-throwing festival, also gave us Gustavo Ramírez Sansano, Luna Negra’s artistic director and the choreographer of the company’s first full-length production, Carmen.maquia.GO:3/24 at 8. $25–$65. Harris Theater, 205 E Randolph. harristheaterchicago.org

3

concertsRalph Stanley
This bluegrass giant is one of the last great patriarchs of American traditional music. Seldom Scene, a bluegrass act that has been pickin’ since 1971, and the Grammy-winning troubadour Jim Lauderdale join him on stage.GO:3/24 at 8. $32–$42. McAninch Arts Center, College of DuPage, Fawell and Park, Glen Ellyn. atthemac.org

4

toursChicago Neighborhood Tours
If you didn’t over-do it with the brews during last weekend’s St. Patrick’s Day festivities: The Office of Tourism and Culture acknowledges March’s sudsy bent in its new tour, Hops & Barley: Pubs & Microbreweries. Beer tourists will learn the arts of beer making and tasting at Haymarket Pub & Brewery, Piece Brewery & Pizzeria, and Revolution Brewing.GO:3/24 at 11. $50–$55. Departs from Chicago Cultural Center, 77 E Randolph. explorechicago.org

5

talksOcean Soul
The photographer Brian Skerry typically spends eight months a year on, under, or near bodies of water for National Geographic, which regularly publishes his images of Earth’s aquatic life. At Goodman, Skerry, who has presented at the popular TED conference, narrates a slideshow of recent shots that span glacial waters to coral reefs.GO:3/26 at 7. $29–$200. Goodman Theatre, 170 N Dearborn. goodmantheatre.org

WHAT I’M DOING THIS WEEKEND

What I’m Doing This Weekend is taking advantage of this unusually gorgeous weather while it lasts. Check back next week for a new installment of weekend plans from a notable, in-the-know local.

FREEBIE OF THE WEEK

talksWhat’s Brewing in Chicago? The Politics of Beer
Finally: more beer! On 3/27, The Illinois Humanities Council hosts Elizabeth Garibay, founder of the online project Tales, Taverns, & Towns, and Pete Crowley, the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild president, at Haymarket Pub & Brewery, where the topic of discussion is the history and future of Chicago-made brews. A seat at the event is free. As for pints? Pay as you go.GO:3/27 at 6:30. Haymarket Pub & Brewery, 737 W Randolph. Reservations required; call 312-422-5580 or visit prairie.org